Namibia – Home of Extreme Landscapes

Day 1

Beaufort West to Upington

We changed the route this year and we leave Beaufort West for Upington via Britstown. We make a stop at Victoria West Dam for some waterbirds and look for Karoo birds along the way to Upington, where we meet the first Kalahari birds.

Day 2

Upington to Rietfontein Border Post

We hit the road and travel deeper into the Kalahari, enjoying the Kalahari birds. Birds along the way include Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, White-backed Vulture, Crimson-breasted Shrike, and many more Kalahari specials.

Day 3

Rietfontein to Stampriet

Across the border, we drive through the eastern side of Namibia. Later, we join the course of the Aoub River towards Stampriet. Birds include Rosy-faced Lovebirds, Fawn-coloured Lark, Red-headed Finch, Pygmy Falcon, and many more.  

Day 4

Stampriet to Otjiwarongo

We travel via Marienthal and Windhoek to Otjiwarong, while keeping our eyes open for birds like Monteiro’s Hornbill, Ruppell’s Parrot, Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, Violet Wood-hoopoe and White-tailed shrike.

Day 5

Otjiwarongo to Sachsenheim Guest Farm

Heading north, we make a stop at Hoba meteorite (entrance fee not included). Then we continue to Lake Otjikoto (entrance fees not included in tour price). After, we continue to Sachsenheim, a game and cattle farm home to Black-faced Babblers. We visit some of the big pans on the farm where lots of water birds can be found.

Day 6

Sachsenheim Guest Farm to Halali

We enter Etosha near Namutoni and enjoy the park’s waterholes, birds and game. Birds can include Damara Hornbill, White-crested Helmet-shrike, Purple Roller, Monotonous Lark, Southern Pied Babbler, Tawny Eagle and Violet-eared Waxbill. Fischer’s Pan, if it has some water, may contain Comb Duck, Yellow-billed Stork, Greater & Lesser Flamingo, and many more.

Day 7

Halali to Okaukuejo

We have more opportunity to enjoy Etosha and look for some larks, raptors and game at waterholes.

Day 8

Okaukuejo to Dolomite Camp

We head through the western part of Etosha with lots of waterholes and normally huge concentrations of game at waterholes. We also expect an excellent day birding, once again.

Day 9

Dolomite Camp to Epupa Falls

We drive further north and enter Kaokoland. Birds along the way may include White-tailed Shrike, Bare-cheeked Babbler, Violet Woodhoopoe, Augur Buzzard, and more. 

Day 10

Epupa Falls

We enjoy some slow-paced birding for the day at Epupa Falls, and apart from the famous waterfall, the area near the lodge is good for Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush, Holub Golden Weaver, Chestnut Weaver, and other exciting specials.

Day 11

Epupa Falls to Kamanjab

Driving south through Kaokoland, we hope to pick up some of the birds we may have missed in this area. Kamanjab is good for Rockrunner, Barred Wren-warbler, and more.

Day 12

Kamanjab to Usakos

This is the area for Barred Wren-Warbler, Benguella Long-billed Lark, Monotonous Lark, Damara Hornbill, Red-billed Francolin, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Hartlaub’s Francolin, Violet Woodhoopoe, Stark’s Lark and Bare-cheeked Babblers. Rüppell’s Korhaan is very common. We may be lucky to see some Desert Elephants.

Day 13

Usakos to Swakopmund

More birds of the dry west to follow until you get to the magnificent Spitzkoppe. The Spitzkoppe is a must-visit in Namibia and we will look for Herero Chat, White-tailed Shrike, Carp’s Tit, Monteiro’s Hornbill, Augur Buzzard, Pale-winged Starling and Bradfield’s Swifts.

We look for Gray’s & Stark’s Larks along the way and see some interesting lichen fields. Waterbirds on the menu at salt works.

Day 14

Swakopmund & Walvis Bay

At Rooibank we look for the Dune Lark. We spend the day around Walvis Bay lagoon and the salt works near Swakopmund where thousands of waders and sea birds like Chestnut-banded Plover, Black-necked Grebe, Bar-tailed Godwit, several terns, Lesser & Greater Flamingoes, Red-necked Phalarope, can be found. 

Day 15

Swakopmund & Weltevrede Guest Farm

On the way to the Kuiseb River we look for the endemic Gray’s Lark and white forms of Karoo and Tractrac Chat. Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra is plentiful and we visit the Spreetshoogte Pass area for Herero Chat and Rockrunner. The waterhole behind the guest house attracts a variety of interesting birds.

Day 16

Weltevrede Guest Farm to Hammerstein lodge

First, we are paying an early morning visit to Sossusvlei and Sesriem. Maybe Sossusvlei will still have some water but the area is good for Rüppell’s Korhaan, Burchell’s and Double-banded Coursers and Lappet-faced Vulture. You can also climb the red dunes of the Namib.

The shuttle service from the parking area at Sossusvlei to Dead Vlei @ N$170pp is not included in the tour price.

In the afternoon we proceed to Hammerstein Lodge.

Day 17

Hammerstein Lodge to Klein Aus Vista

On the grassy plains between drainage lines, you have a chance to see Stark’s and Grey-backed Sparrow-larks, Lark-like Buntings, Bradfield’s Swift overhead, Monteiro’s Hornbill and Augur Buzzard. This area normally teems with Rüppell’s Korhaan, Ludwig’s Bustard and Burchell’s Courser, while an abundance of larks, Chat Flycatcher and waxbills occur. At Aus we pay a visit to Garub to see the wild horses of the Namib, and Barlow’s Lark.  

Day 18

Klein Aus Vista to Canyon Road House

Birds along the way include Black-headed and Damara Canary, and Grey-backed Sparrow-lark. We drive via Seeheim to Canyon Road House. We look for a variety of LBJ’s, as well as Rosy-faced Lovebirds, Sociable Weavers and Pygmy Falcons. Be on the lookout for Lanner Falcon and Martial Eagle, and we might spot Double-banded and Burchell’s Coursers. A stop at Naute Dam always produces a good number of birds.

Day 19

Canyon Road House to Upington

We drive via Grunau and Karasburg to Upington where we overnight.

Day 20

Upington to Beaufort West

The last leg of the trip to Beaufort West with some Kalahari and Karoo specials along the way.